Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion (Attractions, Entertainment, Dining, and Shopping)

Mexico is the first pavilion you encounter when you tour Epcot’s World Showcase in a clockwise direction from the front of the park. For this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion. We’ll discuss everything to do from attractions to dining, including shopping, entertainment, and a character meet-and-greet.

If you’re a Walt Disney World fan, you’ve probably heard this question: Should you start in Mexico or Canada when touring the World Showcase? It’s a common question park-goers discuss regarding their touring plan. Of course, the World Showcase is why so many of us love Epcot. Where else can you experience a taste of 11 unique countries in one afternoon?

However, most will tell you it’s always five o’clock in Mexico. The pavilion is widely known for margaritas. That’s why so many like to begin their adventure here in Mexico. What better way to start your day than with a bright, lime-green avocado margarita? In all seriousness, when I was taking updated photos for this article, there was already a long line formed inside the pyramid. Guests were waiting for La Cava del Tequila to open. It wasn’t even 11:00 a.m.

Attractions

Entertainment

Dining

Retail

Mexico’s Pavilion consists of a pyramid that is home to most of the attractions and dining in the country. In addition, however, there are a few locations outside that surround it. The pyramid was built to resemble ancient Meso-American ruins. If you take the time to walk around the exterior patios surrounding the pavilion, you will notice many extra details.

It was modeled after an Aztec temple of the feathered serpent.

Unfortunately, with so many guests heading straight inside the pyramid to escape the heat, these exterior details are often overlooked. However, the pyramid’s interior is magical.

Mexican Folk Art Gallery

When you first enter the pyramid, you’ll encounter the Remember Me! Mexican Folk Art Gallery exhibit. This exhibit was installed a while back and focuses on Día de Muertos, the day of the dead. Four different types of Mexican artwork are featured.

A window inside the exhibit shows Miguel and Dante holding a candlelight vigil for their loved ones.

Inside the exhibit, there are also sugar skulls, a magnificent paper mache sculpture, and an interactive activity for children.

Related: Remember Me! Mexican Folk Art Gallery at Epcot

Gran Fiesta Tour

Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion is home to one ride. This attraction, the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, sits toward the back of the pavilion’s interior. This slow-moving boat ride sets sail down the Rio Grande as it makes its way toward Mexico City.

More than likely, there won’t be a significant line for this attraction. But if there is, the line moves quickly unless they are having some technical difficulty. Regarding the ride, José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles are looking for Donald Duck. They have a concert scheduled in Mexico City and are afraid they won’t make it in time. One of the funnier scenes is when Jose and Panchito ask a server if he’s seen a duck. You might be surprised at what dish he’s carrying.

Eventually, you make it to Mexico City, where fireworks explode on the ceiling overhead.

Toward the end, you’ll encounter all three birds of a feather performing their theme song.

Related: Gran Fiesta Tour at Epcot

Meet Donald at Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion

Donald Duck meets guests outside the pyramid at Epcot. He also meets guests at the Aztec ruins between the Mexico and Norway Pavilions. Donald meets intermittently throughout the day between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. His meet times are listed in the My Disney Experience app. You’ll want to check the app for the exact times on the day of your visit.

Related: Meet Donald Duck in Mexico at Epcot

Music of Mexico

On most days, Mariachi Cobre, an entourage from Jalisco, Mexico, performs traditional folk music outside the pyramid.

Here is a video of their performance:

When Mariachi Cobre is unavailable, Marimba de las Américas performs in the same location.

Dining in the Mexico Pavilion

Mexico offers several dining and drink options. First, there’s Choza de Margarita, which sits outside to the left of the pyramid. This location offers a variety of margaritas and a few snacks.

Across the walkway from Choza, you’ll find the Mexico Pavilion’s quick-service restaurant, La Cantina de San Angel. This location has a partially covered outdoor eating area that looks out to the World Showcase Lagoon. They sell a variety of tacos, bowls, salads, kids’ meals, and more.

Perhaps, the most popular stop in the Mexico Pavilion is La Cava del Tequila. This location is inside the pyramid and opens at 11:00 a.m.

As mentioned earlier, one of their more popular drinks is the La Cava Avocado. This margarita has a bright, hot pink rim and a smooth, creamy texture. However, my favorite of the margaritas is the Casa Dragones Top Shelf. It is their signature, top-shelf margarita.

La Cava del Tequila has a small indoor space for guests to sit. It’s not uncommon to see the line for this location extend outside the pyramid.

Our next stop is La Hacienda de San Angel, a table service restaurant located on the World Showcase Lagoon side of the Mexico Pavilion.

Like most table service restaurants, La Hacienda takes reservations. But you might be able to request a walk-up. A menu is posted outside the restaurant. La Hacienda is open for dinner only starting at 4:00 p.m. Their entire menu is available here on Disney’s site.

Not to confuse things, but there is a second table service restaurant inside the pyramid, San Angel Inn. This restaurant overlooks the Gran Fiesta Tour attraction. It’s a charming spot to have a meal as you watch the boats glide by below. Unfortunately, I don’t have a review. It’s always nighttime inside the pavilion so it’s difficult to take photos.

But we love to dine here. We always order the Queso Fundido, the Tacos de Ribeye (steak tacos), and the Enchiladas de Pollo. This location opens daily at 11:00 a.m. and offers a separate lunch and dinner menu.

You can preview both menus here on Disney’s site.

During the Flower and Garden Festival, you might see a special topiary in the pavilion. Last year, we saw a new one themed to Coco featuring Miguel and Dante.

Shopping in the Mexico Pavilion

The Mexico Pavilion has plenty of shops. But, of course, the largest is the Plaza de Los Amigos, the open-air marketplace.

Several artists hand-paint Oaxacan wood carvings.

Many beautiful pieces are available for purchase.

Next to the artists, you’ll see Mexico’s Kidcot Fun Stop.

Each country in the World Showcase offers free activities for children. These activities are good for getting children involved in exploring each country.

Inside the market, you’ll find everything from leather goods to ceramics.

Some of the dolls in the photo below looked like art.

Here are a few more photos.

Two other shops are available off the plaza, La Princesa de Cristal and La Tienda Encantada. La Princesa de Cristal is one of the Arribas Brothers’ glassware locations.

Inside, you’ll find a variety of blown-glass treasures.

La Tienda Encantada carries fine jewelry and accessories. However, recently, they have been carrying a good deal of Coco-inspired merchandise.

Most everything was geared toward children on this last visit.

Final Thoughts on Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion

As with all the countries in the World Showcase, Mexico represents a fair amount of culture, history, entertainment, and flavor. You could easily spend an hour or more seeing everything the pavilion offers.

For other pavilion reviews, you might enjoy the following:

• Norway Pavilion
• China Pavilion
• Germany Pavilion
• Italy Pavilion
• American Adventure Pavilion
• Morocco Pavilion

In the Comments

What do you think of the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot? Do you enjoy spending time here? Have you ever visited?